Congressional Reform: Still work to do

But The Washington Post said Sunday it's "still uncertain" whether House Democrats will move a "package worthy of their campaign pledges to end the 'culture of corruption.' "

It's one thing to campaign against well-heeled lobbyists, but it's quite another to actually deliver on reform when that means turning down re-election dollars from those well-heeled lobbyists.

"House Democrats must support an effective provision to require lobbyists to disclose the contributions they bundle if they expect citizens to treat as real their commitment to address the Jack Abramoff corruption and lobbying scandals," Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer said.

Credible disclosure is essential -- but even that's not enough. Congress needs to do more to restore this nation's belief in this democratic institution.

Along those lines, one idea that makes sense is an independent ethics body. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group recently wrote that 23 states have created commissions, boards or offices that operate largely free of partisan interference to oversee the ethics rules for elected officials. "Congress is almost alone in choosing to self-police," the study said. It "should follow the lead of almost half of the states and establish an independent ethics enforcement commission."

The message from the 2006 election was clear and powerful. But now it's time for real action.